Jeff McDonald: Welcome back, Barry

SACRAMENTO — The biggest news to come out of coach Gregg Popovich’s pre-game pow-wow with reporters: Tonight against the Kings, Brent Barry is expected to make his first appearance in an NBA game since Jan. 24.

“I’m going to get him a few minutes tonight, and a few minutes against Utah on Wednesday,” Popovich said.

Barry, recovering from a torn muscle in his left calf, hasn’t seen action since re-signing with the team on March 23. The hope is he can work himself into enough of a rhythm over the Spurs’ final two regular season games to be a factor in the playoffs.

His return should be welcome news for a Spurs team struggling to score points. The Spurs’ offense never looked as well-oiled this season as when Barry was a part of the second unit.

“I hope he can just remember what sport he’s playing before the playoffs begin,” Popovich said. “I don’t want him to come to the arena with a bat or anything.”

In other injured off-guard news, Manu Ginobili will not play again tonight in order to rest his strained groin. Ginobili is angling to play, but Popovich continues to exercise extreme caution with the health of a player who could make or break the Spurs’ playoff chances.